Someone slips a tray
through the slot in my door
Not food
but close enough
A rolled-up towel, toothpaste
a small bar of soap, a toothbrush
and a pair of black flip-flops
SlowSlowSlowly
I do what I’m supposed to do
The things that make me
still human
The door opens
It’s a lady officer
Good morning!
ShowerBreakfast
in the mess hall
Meeting with your officer
and the social worker
Then you start your program
she says
She wears makeup
Glitter eyeshadow
and shiny lips
Her braids are pulled back
like Dionne’slike Zenobia’s
She smiles
and something warm rises
in my belly
in that broken place
like sunshine, maybe